David Benavidez continues to look to the future with one constant idea in mind: a fight against Canelo Alvarez. Although for years this confrontation seemed inevitable, today it seems more distant. However, the so-called Mexican Monster assures that the scenario has completely changed and, for the first time, the conditions seem to favor him. The turnaround began after Canelo’s loss to Terence Crawford on September 13 in Las Vegas, where he lost his status as undisputed super middleweight champion after a unanimous decision. The loss, added to the months of inactivity he will face due to surgery on his left elbow, left the Mexican without titles and in a moment of sporting uncertainty.
Meanwhile, David Benavidez has strengthened his position in world boxing. He currently holds WBC and WBA belts at light heavyweight (175 pounds), establishing himself as a dominant force in the category. For him, this represents a total change in the landscape: “What other fights does Canelo have left? Now it looks like I’m in control. He doesn’t have any belts at 168 pounds; I have titles at 175 and I plan to have all the belts in that division,” he stated in an interview with talkSPORT.
The direct challenge: weight gain
David Benavidez makes no secret of his desire to face the tapatío, but he made his main condition clear: Canelo must move up to 175 pounds.
“He says he’s looking for greatness. He did what he did at 168 pounds, so now why not move up to 175 and do the same thing?” he issued as a challenge.
For Benavidez, the fight must take place in his current territory – light heavyweight – where he claims to have more power, more size and the belts that now define his career.
Canelo: defeat, surgery and doubts
The loss to Crawford was one of the most talked about of his career.
Since then, he has not announced a date for his return.
His rehabilitation after surgery on his left elbow could take several months, making the possibility of accepting a fight as demanding as the one proposed by David Benavidez even more difficult.
Now it seems that I'm the one in control
David Benavidez
Will there be a fight in the future?
Despite everything, David Benavidez keeps hope alive:
“I haven’t given up hope completely. I feel that, until he retires, there will always be the possibility that it will come to fruition.”
The Benavidez vs. Canelo clash remains one of the most coveted matchups for fans in the United States and Mexico, even if today it looks more complicated than ever.
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